Welcome the the Inaugural edition of This Week in Switzer (TWIS)! After a spectacular first three days of school, I can honestly say that I am impressed, excited, encouraged, and enlightened by your student- I know I'll have a fantastic time getting to know your student this year and helping them grow.
For those of you new to TWIS, it is my weekly Sunday newsletter to let you know what is coming up this week in class and in the building. Feel free to reply to this email if you have any questions or concerns. All TWIS newsletters will be posted to our classroom blog (CLICK HERE) for easy reference. Our classroom blog is run entirely by your students throughout the year. So, without further ado, here is This Week in Switzer:
Reading: One of the things I try to impress on our students is that when you read, you think. Conversely, if you choose not to read, then you are asking someone else to do your thinking for you... that's never a good thing. This week, we'll look at how great readers think about books, choose books, and reflect on what they read. We'll also begin to read a class novel together.
D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read): DEAR time is a time for students to just get into a book of their choice and read. I'll also meet with small groups of students during this time to work on reading skills.
Math: Last week we took a Benchmark Placement Test for the first 4 topics in math. This week we will find out which math group we are attending to begin working through these skills. Every week students will take a short quiz (called a CFA- Common Formative Assessment) to make sure your student has retained the skill. Based on those results, we'll find a just right small group for your student to work in (called W.I.N.- What I Need). Some groups will work on review, others on a similar skill, and others on a math related extension skill project.
Social Studies/ Science/ Writing: To give your student a better feel for Junior High, we rotate through these three classes daily. Students will have Mrs. Bonwell for Social Studies, Mrs. Heine for Science, and Mr. Switzer for Writing. I will say that writing is a global, connected activity practice in my classroom; I fully intend to give your student a "real-world" audience for which to develop their writing through the use of Kidblog.org and other resources. Rest assured, I take your student's cyber safety VERY seriously and vow to educate and inform your student when it comes to the internet.
Leader in Me: This year, students will be exploring the Leader in Me curriculum that has slowly made its way around Cedar Falls schools. As part of this, your student will create a Data Notebook (for housing CFA's) and a portfolio (for reflection). We are also working on possible mentors from the community, and the possibility of an "exit interview" with their mentor at the end of the year. We have a long year ahead to work on this, so I'll be putting it on the back burner for a while.
Two last things before we're done- All students in Mr. Switzer's class are required to lead their own conference at conference time- I just wanted to put that in front of you. Also, I am sending home a Twitter challenge form with your student next week- don't worry, I'm not asking you or your student to sign up for Twitter- I am merely using Twitter as a way to send instant updates/ photos/ news/ learnings during the course of the day. You'll find out more soon.
Thanks and have a fantastic week!
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Matthew Switzer
6th grade teacher
6th grade teacher
